After long hours of being stuck in traffic in EDSA and the travel time from Batangas to Baguio, Session Road kainan agad-agad. Heavy rain and cold breeze welcomed us in Baguio City. 

One thing that I will not ever forget about Baguio are the trees, It feel so great to see so much greens. By just standing and staring at the trees, I can feel myself rejuvenated from all the stress and heat I had in Batangas. I feel like I want to live there for good.

 I feel like I'm actually being nostalgic of every memory by going up and down our cottage from Abada Hall and Benitez Hall by making this blog post. 

this, I miss most! Our wake up call, kapag dumaan ang strawberry taho, gigising na kami. 

First session for NRYLI, I was still tired of the long travel. I was sleepingwith my eyes open. My body was sleeping and at the same time trying to listen, tapos biglang nagsharing and groupings. I was like, "what am I saying?" (buti na lang I pulled myself together by listening from all the sharing and I'm like "Yun nga. Bla Bla. ") All the talks were informative and moving even if I find it really hard to coordinate my eyes with the situation. I was part of the group cream team.( I thought it was white though) My groupmates were all great and intelligent. I mean they were all open for a good conversation, an intellectual one. The kind of conversation where you can share all your views about the candidates and about our country (also thoughts about the event ongoing, Hi Joeneff and Elordy!) I enjoy it because there were a good exchange of insights.

#obligatoryshot at the Benitez Hall.

It was smart casual/ semi formal day. (It reminds me of Corporate Attire Wednesday sa school.) It was a day where we sauntered the whole Teacher's camp when the contests were ongoing. We had free time to go around after the actual opening of the 53rd NRYLI and had a whole afternoon of FUN practice with my Sayawitan Groupmates. (the last time I had that chill and relaxed practice was in High school) 3 hours of practice the whole production was already done. Hi Kabata ni Pepe!

#obligatoryOOTD

Ang mga BIDA BIDA ng NRYLI! #newfriends

After the session in the evening, we sneaked out so we have a glimpse of Christmas Village before it closes at 9 pm. It was a cute and Instagram worthy place. (also a place to wash clothes?) Hahaha! The place smells like detergent, witty sila! The snow was actually made of bubbles and the snowman were made of perla, all the other ornaments were made of recycled stuff.

This was the cutest, the Christmas wishes wall! (but only children were allowed to make their wishes. I felt old.)

The best part of the night was eating street foods at night market rather than shopping, but there were so many great finds there, like 3 clothes for P20 and shoes for less than 300, but I was too tired to go around and the crowd was like a river of people, nakikisabay na lang ako sa agos.

More talks from well known people in different industries and field of work. The afternoon was filled with fun where we actually had a team building with our group mates. We aced some and the others, we just joked around like this strings game. Uggh, hard! I didn't even know why we won 3rd place. Hahaha! still! congrats cream team!

In the Evening, the most awaited Sayawitan. We interpreted the song, "Ako ay Pilipino" sung by our bunso in the group, Jazz. (syempre bida bida kami!)

Our favorite tambayan place, planning where to go that evening and the next day. haha! 

So yeaah, 50's diner! Lahat malalaki ang servings nakakatakot umorder!

Team JPIA!

In reality, I didn't even made this pageant a big deal, because it's inside campus and I don't really join such kaya I don't know how it works. I just tried for something new and as experience na din. #first I did my own make up, I styled myself and do everything as if I was really performing onstage. Thank you Kaps! (MB Peradilla) for helping out with my talent, yung idea it was from him, and the rest of the dance was really from the heart.  

I just did what I always do, in preparing for a show. I make sure I organized my costumes. I did my own make-up. Yes, no make-up artists that will wait for me til my next show onstage. but good thing, those make up artist are really kind. They helped me curling my hair and do retouches for free, thank you for your compassionate hearts. :)

By seeing all of them with their chaperon, and backstage crew, I told myself that I couldn't make it through, but I never really thought I'd get through and get special awards. It is unexpected. Thank you to my friends, who were alternately going backstage to check if I'm doing good, and my family, specially my dad who watched. I called him last minute to watch and he did rushed from Batangas to Lipa.

The hard part? smiling and standing, I salute all beauty queens out there. haha. It's really hard to straighten  my scoliotic back and stand for a long time in heels. Also, smiling as big as you can. yung feeling na nanginginig na yung pisngi? ugghhh. sarap mag-pabebe face, as rest sa muscles in my face. The hardest? Haha. Is facing your fears. I don't talk much in front of many people. I suck at talking. It's my worst enemy. My family and friends will know why, I'm a shy person, but I think I had stepped out of my shell.

Even the night before JPIA Night, I felt unprepared and damn nervous. I thought my dress would underdress me from the others, because I've been looking at beauty queen dresses and it's all covered with rhinestones. I didn't  also expect the award, but I just pulled off my simple navy blue long gown by Nikki Berberabe. I went in her shop many times for fitting and everything. Thank you po. :) I also bought my accessories and shoes with Mae, from the money I received from my birthday. haha. 

Earings: H&M, Shoes: Venus, Necklace: Landmark and Make-up by: Apple

I will also not upload my Q&A video, such a shame.